Exciting News and Amazing Photos!

We have some exciting news! THREE of our FQG members have had pieces accepted into CQA's 2012 National Juried Show!! CONGRATS girls! We do not want to compromise the judging by identifying anyone here, or showing their work, so you'll have to come to the April meeting to see who they are. Hopefully they will all share their pieces as well. So - there's yet another reason to head to Halifax for Quilt Canada!

It's not too late to pass in Catch of the Day bags and fat quarters for the Quilt Canada conference. I will be sending them back to Halifax with my daughter on April 19th, so get them to me by then to be included. A big Thanks to all who have already contributed!

No doubt like me,  you are happy to see the end of winter, snow and cold weather. But have a look at these "winter quilts" - WOW!! This "quilter" really has a lot of patience and energy!!

Man Walks All Day to Create Spectacular Snow Patterns  Artist Simon Beck must really love the cold weather! Along the frozen lakes of Savoie, France, he spends days plodding through the snow in raquettes (snowshoes), creating these sensational patterns of snow art. Working for 5-9 hours a day, each final piece is typically the size of three soccer fields! The geometric forms range in mathematical patterns and shapes that create stunning, sometimes 3D, designs when viewed from higher levels.  How long these magnificent geometric forms survive is completely dependent on the weather. Beck designs and redesigns the patterns as new snow falls, sometimes unable to finish a piece due to significant overnight accumulations. Interestingly enough, he said, 'The main reason for making them was because I can no longer run properly due to problems with my feet, so plodding about on level snow is the least painful way of getting exercise. Gradually, the reason has become photographing them, and I am considering buying a better camera.” Spectacular art for the sake of exercise!  Now... aren't you inspired???

Kings Landing Quilts! Wow!

How lucky we were on Tuesday night to have Lois MacDonald come to speak to us about the quilts of Kings Landing. She brought a wonderful selection of original quilts, and a few reproductions as well (one could hardly tell the difference!) Lois has been on staff at the Landing for many years (lucky them!) and her love and knowledge of  "all things textile" was very evident. Hearing how KL acquires "vintage" pieces such as quilts, furniture, etc. was most interesting. We heard of  New Brunswick families like the Ganongs who have generously donated numerous items, quilts and
otherwise to KL. Our thanks to Lois for a very enjoyable and most informative program. Those of you who were absent really missed out, but we will be taking names at the April meeting for those who would be interested in visiting Kings Landing this summer for a tour of the Collection Center where these quilts "live".  We could car-pool, the tour would probably be several hours, and if there is sufficient interest, we could even combine it with lunch at the Kings Head Inn. So give it some thought. If you will not be in attendance at the April meeting, leave a comment here to indicate your interest, or get in touch with me, Linda H.

Meeting Reminder

  Just a quick reminder - tomorrow night is our March meeting night. Guest speaker will be Lois MacDonald from Kings Landing. She will be sharing with us some of the wonderful quilts in Kings Landing's collection. Lois is very knowledgeable about "all things textile" at the Landing - quilts, hooked mats, woven coverlets, not to mention the staff costumes. It's bound to be a great program- you won't want to miss it!


 Spots are still available for our last two workshops of the year - this Saturday, March 24th with Barb Cross for a quilted bag and Saturday April 21st with Sue Robertson for the Little Twister block and a choice of several projects. Registrations will be taken at the meeting. Why not join in the fun?


 We will be collecting Catch of the Day bags for Quilt Canada 2012, as well as the Fat Quarter donations. If you miss this meeting, these items can be dropped off to Linda Hubbard by the end of this month. They will be shipped off to N.S. on April 2nd.

 Have you made plans yet to attend QC 2012? If you'd like to go, but don't want to drive to Halifax, you might be interested in the following info:  Barb Elliott of Cotton Mill QG is looking into planning a Bus Trip. If you would be interested in a 2 day, 1 night trip to Halifax by bus, please get in touch with Barb ASAP at ellibar@hotmail.com   At this point she is just gathering names of interested persons, to see if there is sufficient interest. (She needs a minimum of 30 people). Once she has enough to go ahead with planning, more details and a cost will be available. Payment will likely be required by end of April.

Hope to see you tomorrow night. Don't forget your Show and Tell items, your mug, and any finished items for our UFO Challenge.

There's still room for you...

Just wanted to let you know- there are still a few spaces open in the workshop for this Saturday, March 10. This will be the Scrap quilt workshop which was rescheduled from Feb. 25. You can do a lap quilt (or larger) or do  a small project like a table centre, tablerunner, tote bag or whatever. It can be done scrappy or not - it would look lovely with "planned" fabrics as well. The block is simple, made of four units, which are made two at a time. There are several easy variations, pictured below. If you are a member of another local area Guild and you would like to join us, we'd be happy to have you. Just leave a comment here with your name and a phone # or email.

 Also, if you are thinking of joining us for the workday next Thursday, March 15 to make  Catch of  the Day bags, please let us know. We haven't heard from many yet. (See the previous post below for details).

 There are still spaces open for the March workshop as well - March 24th with delightful Barb Cross to make a beautiful handbag/clutch purse. Please let us know asap if you would like to sign up for this class, as there are currently not enough for it to run.

If you are travelling stateside, you might be interested to know about a quilt show coming up next weekend in NY state- Sackets Harbour lies on the eastern end of Lake Ontario. The 2012 Great Lakes Seaway Trail Quilt Show will be held March 17 and 18, 10a.m. - 5p.m., in the Seaway Trail Discovery Center in Sackets Harbour NY.  Quilting heritage speaker Shirley Robinson, a fifth generation quilter and teacher will speak at 12noon and 3pm on Sunday on the third floor of the Seaway Trail Discovery Center, one of three early 19th-century venues for the show that features 1812 period-correct newly-made quilts. In one of two presentations, Robinson, of Canastota, NY, will appear in costume to present her program entitled “Quilts of the Nations.” She will portray a woman born in the late 18th century as she traces the development of American quilting from colonial days to the mid-19th century at the 12 noon and 3pm presentations.
 For more information, visit www.seawaytrail.com/quilting or call 315-646-1000.

Feelin' Fishy....

  A workday has been scheduled for Thursday March 15th for members to work on Catch of the Day bags, for donation to Quilt Canada 2012 in Halifax. It will be held in the upstairs Community Room at Sobeys at the foot of Regent Street. (There is an elevator if you cannot do stairs easily with your machine. ) We have the room booked from 9a.m. to 3p.m.

 We are hoping to get a good turnout for this project. The bags are fun and easy to make, requiring only 2 co-ordinating fat quarters and another small contrasting piece for the fish and casings. Other than that, a bit of cording or ribbon for the ties, thread and a 6"x12" piece of fusible is all you need! Embellishments (fancy thread, sequins, etc.) are optional, and up to you!
You can access the pattern and templates for the fish by clicking here. Feel free to print your own templates off; as well we will have some  available at the workday. Note you have the choice of making a salmon, haddock or cod; templates for all three are there.

  If you can attend this workday, please let us know- leave a comment here or call Linda H or Sue R. If you are unable to attend, we hope you will consider making one or several bags on your own at home. (They ARE quick and easy to make and fun to embellish - let your creative juices flow!) Bags will need to be turned in at the March meeting, or delivered to Linda by the end of March, so that we can get them sent off to Nova Scotia.

Pictured here are several bags recently made by several of our members- thanks ladies!

With all this fish talk, I'm feelin' fishy...I think I'll go make a Fish Chowder for supper!!

Meeting Reminder and other news...

Next week is our monthly meeting.. they seem to roll around quickly... Hope to see you there. A few notices... Diane at Country Crafts and Curtains can now get machine parts for most makes of sewing machines, so if you are looking for something for your machine, give her a call. She also has some batiks on sale, making room for new stock - that's always a good thing!
If you are heading to Woodstock, you should know that The Christmas Crab Quiltery is moving. They are closed for the next few days (Feb.17-20) to complete the move to their new location at 114 Queen Street (between Dixie Lee and Krissys Café).
It's been quite a while since we took an "Armchair Tour" to a nice big quilt show, so pour yourself  a cuppa, fasten your seatbelts and let's head off to warmer climes... Click here to view the winners in a recent large California  show - The Road to California Show in Ontario CA.
You can click on each quilt to enlarge the photo for a better look...  Enjoy! Take note - there is a Canadian among the winners as well- Congrats to Kathy Wylie of Whitby Ontario.
See you Tuesday night!

Workshop fun... One done, one to come...

Where does the time go? January is almost over and our first meeting and workshop of the new year are already behind us. Sande Gunning of River Gallery spent a day with 11 lucky members last weekend, teaching them how to do felted scarves of wool and silk. Here you can see Sande demo-ing the felting process. I hear they worked hard for their beautiful scarves! Thanks Sande for a great day!

 

Lap quilt - 48" x 64" before borders

Our next workshop, on Feb. 25th, still has some openings. It will be a Scrap Quilt project with yours truly. I have done a lap quilt, (measuring 48"x64" before borders), but there are also smaller options (table centre or table runner, pillow front, totebag front....) and as well several design options for the block. (Of course if you want to make a bed-size quilt, you can do that too!)The block unit is very quick and easy to make, and with a few short seams, you get two units at once. There is no cutting of triangles or sewing of bias edges- all pieces are cut square or rectangular. Most pieces are cut 2.5" wide, so if you have "leftovers" from jelly rolls or Bali Pops, this is a great way to use them up! I will also be giving some useful info on choosing fabrics for scrap quilts, as well as a number of tips to help you perfect your piecing skills. Why don't you plan to join us? We're going to have lots of fun! You will want to get most of  your cutting done before the class, so don't wait until our February meeting to sign up - give Ann Price or myself a call today and we'll get the Supply Sheet and cutting instructions to you.

Table Centre - 20" sq. Block variation with Half Sq. Triangles

Merry Christmas!

Christmas is only a few short days away now. Hopefully your quilting projects are all finished, the last stitches sewn and your sewing space is all tidied up! If so, you're ahead of me. My projects are done, but the tidying isn't! Hopefully Santa won't peek in that room!

Our Christmas Social was such a lovely evening. The special music provided by a talented quartet from Elm City Echoes was so entertaining, giving us wonderful harmonies and laughter too! It was so nice to have time to just chat and "visit" with other members, something that there never seems to be enough time for at our busy meetings. Kudos to the Program Committee for organizing such a  wonderful evening. I thoroughly enjoyed the stories of Christmases past by members Mary Brown,  Anne Ouellette, Kathleen DeTulleo and Ann Price. How lovely to hear about Christmas traditions in other families and areas. There seems to always be a common denominator though- being together with family and friends appears to be the most important part of the holidays, no matter where you are. The evening ended with a super Show and Tell. It's obvious everyone has been very busy getting projects finished up for Christmas, whether meant as gifts or not. The photos have been added to our Show and Tell Gallery.

I am so grateful for all my wonderful friends and "quilting sisters" at FQG - you have all enriched my life. No doubt you agree with me - we are indeed fortunate to have such a wonderful group.
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and good health and happiness in the New Year - and, of course- lots more time for quilting!! See you in 2012.

December Reminders

It's December 1st!! Wow- where did November go? The days are flying by, and like me you are probably at your machine trying to get quilts finished and gifts made. I wish I could find a few more hours in each day for us all.... wouldn't that be nice?

First of all, don't forget that our Christmas Social is coming right up on Dec. 6th at 6:30. Note the earlier start time... I hope to see everyone there, it's such a nice opportunity to share some Christmas spirit with friends, and have time to chat and socialize a bit. Don't forget to bring along your Christmas Show and Tell items!

Tomorrow, Friday Dec. 2,  is the Country Crafts and Curtains "Retreat" from 1p.m. - 8p.m. at the Marysville Heritage Centre, 11 McGloin St. in Marysville. Take your machine and sew for the day, drop in to shop, or just to say Hi! There is a Potluck at suppertime too!

If you still have shopping to do for someone special on your list, remember Sunday is the only day for the Christmas Choice Craft Sale at UNB's Memorial Hall (9 Bailey Drive) from noon until 4p.m. This weekend is also the 37th annual  Christmas Arts and Crafts Market at the Capital Exhibit Centre on the Frex grounds. Stop by and say Hi to Kathy Tidswell... The hours are Friday noon - 9p.m., Saturday 10a.m - 6p.m. and Sunday noon - 5p.m.

Have you given some serious thought to attending Quilt Canada 2012 in Halifax in the spring? Our last newsletter had lots of info listed, or you can find it here on the CQA/ACC website. Also check out the Quilt Canada Blog here for updates and lots of exciting news re. the Conference. Registration is now open for day students - ie. signing up for a class or two, without being a full delegate. This annual event will likely not be back in the Maritimes for a while, so now is your chance to take it in. Halifax is an easy drive now with good highway all the way. And if you are not already a CQA member, this year would be a great year to join!! Why not put a CQA membership on your Christmas Wish List? Join now and start planning that Halifax trip!!

I recently received info on a 10 day tour to Ireland that includes the International Quilt Festival of Ireland in Galway. The dates are June 5th- 15th, 2012 and departure is from Halifax.You can view more details by clicking here. What a fun trip that would be...